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"Take me on a date." Were the first words Shirabu had said to him that day.
It was already the end of practice, and everyone else had filed out of the locker room, leaving only Shirabu and Goshiki in there in silence. Until Shirabu had spoke.
"Take me on a date." Shirabu said, keeping the same blank face that he had had on all day. Except there was a noticeable tint of pink in his cheeks, and he looked like he was struggling to maintain eye contact.
Goshiki froze for a moment. Had he heard that right? Was there even a way that he didn't hear him right? But how could he be hearing right, if what he was hearing was the Shirabu Kenjirou, his biggest crush since who knows when, was asking him to take him out? Well, it was less of asking, and more of telling, but same difference. Goshiki realized he probably looked stupid with his mouth hanging open slightly, his face flushed, and his eyes wide in surprise,.
"What?" Was the only thing that Goshiki could say after his brain refused to make up any other words he could reply with.
"Never mind. It's nothing. Forget I said anything." Shirabu looked away, about to grab his bag and rush out of there, avoiding any more awkward situations.
"No, wait-" Goshiki stopped him, his hand latching onto Shirabu's wrist. "You said, or uh, you wanted me to take you out, right? Like, on a date? I didn't hear you wrong?" Goshiki asked, fidgeting in place, hoping he didn't just make a fool of himself and totally misunderstand Shirabu.
Shirabu stood silent for a moment, before finally meeting his eyes with Goshiki's again, Shirabu's face now beet red. "Yeah. Just tell me you aren't interested or whatever you're planning on saying, and let me leave."
"No, I- That's not what I'm-" Goshiki has pretty obviously never really been in one of these situations before, and he's mentally cursing himself for not being able to get the right words out. "I really want to. Take you on a date. If you'll let me." He finally ends up with.
Shirabu finally swipes his wrist away from Goshiki's grasp, then grabbing his bag. "Obviously I'd let you. I wouldn't have told you to if I didn't." He sounds annoyed, but honestly, he's just masking his true feelings of contentedness.
"So where are we going?" Goshiki asked, his excitement clearly shown on his face.
Shirabu shrugged, pursing his lips a bit. "I figured I'd let you decide. You can probably come up with better ideas than I can." Goshiki looked like he felt blessed after hearing that. Shirabu couldn't understand why, but he figured that Goshiki just took it as some sort of compliment. "Just don't take us anywhere stupid."
Shirabu had said that, but he honestly didn't mean it. No place was stupid, as long as Goshiki was there with him. Shirabu had thought, maybe that's because Goshiki takes up enough stupidity for both himself and whatever location, and ended up sticking with thinking that's what he means. But deep down, he knew that they could go to what Shirabu thinks is the stupidest date in the world, and Shirabu would still end up finding that place amazing. Maybe that was just what Goshiki did to him. Maybe Goshiki just made him feel like any time spent together was the most breathtaking experience he had ever felt. And maybe that would be correct.
And now Shirabu has ended up at the entrance to the zoo, loud first year in hand (As Goshiki insisted that they had to at least walk in holding hands).
In all honesty, Shirabu thought it was kind of cute that Goshiki had thought this up. He expected some kind of cliché movie date, or maybe a little picnic that Goshiki had set up himself. And Shirabu was not disappointed with what they ended up with.
Goshiki was rambling about something again, maybe about how he'll want to pet all the animals but can't, but Shirabu tried but can't focus on any of the words because holy shit, Goshiki's holding my hand and why am I the nervous one now. Shirabu had convinced himself before coming: No PDA, but as soon as Goshiki had opened his mouth about holding hands, he couldn't help but nod and let the younger of them grab his hand and continue onward.
And obviously, Shirabu is not the only nervous one. As Goshiki's rambling, all he can think about is Shirabu-san's hands are so soft. I wonder if his lips are soft too. Wait, don't think about that- focus. He doesn't exactly know what he should be focusing on, but it's probably not how pretty Shirabu's eyes look with the sun hitting them in the certain angle they're in, or how he could stare into Shirabu's eyes all day and never get bored. Definitely not either of those.
Goshiki finally stopped himself from continuing to rave about how all the animals at the zoo are great, and how he loves animals, even if animals don't really like him.
"What's your favorite animal, Shirabu-san?" Goshiki decided to ask, pulling Shirabu out from his thoughts.
Shirabu had to think for a moment before coming up with a brief answer. "Elephants." And before Goshiki could ask him why, or tell Shirabu about how cool he thinks elephants are, Shirabu's leading Goshiki into the zoo, interrupting whatever Goshiki was going to comment on his answer.
The two wandered around a bit before figuring out where they were going first.
They decided to see the lions and tigers first, as Goshiki had been really excited to check them out. Shirabu noticed that Goshiki seemed to like the big, tough looking animals, and made a comment to point out how he'd probably be a kitten if anything, after Goshiki tried to say how if he was an animal, he'd be a lion, or some other frightening animal. Goshiki then started to pester Shirabu about what kind of animal he thinks he himself would be, never getting an answer in the end.
The next animal they went to see were the otters. Shirabu liked the otters, but said that sometimes their faces annoy him. Goshiki just laughed, playfully asking how the "precious animal's" face could annoy him, before announcing how he thought it was "cute that just faces can annoy you". Shirabu then smirking a bit, saying how Goshiki's face is one of those faces. Goshiki pouted all the way to the next exhibit.
Of course the next animals they visited were the monkeys. Goshiki decided that "You kind of remind me of a monkey" was a good compliment. It was not. Shirabu decided not to acknowledge his existence for a good three minutes, the entire three minutes spent with Goshiki trying to explain that he meant it was because "Shirabu-san is smart, and monkeys are smart too".
Then Goshiki decided to drag Shirabu along to see the bears. "You know Ushijima-san kind of reminds me of a bear" was the first thing that came out of Goshiki's mouth, and Shirabu couldn't stop himself from laughing, Shirabu then telling him that he really has to stop comparing people to animals. Shirabu knew Goshiki's intentions are good, even so. And he could even kind of see what he meant. But in no way were they telling any of the team that.
Shirabu ended up bringing them back to the lions and tiger's area, but instead going to look for the leopards. Both of them seemed to like the leopards, Goshiki talking about how cool they are while Shirabu listened to him talk about them. Shirabu, although he'd never admit it, loved listening to Goshiki's voice as he ranted about animals, or volleyball, or anything that came to his mind.
They went all around the zoo, checking out all the animals and having a fun time together, enjoying each other's company. They'd been there for a few hours already, and Shirabu was getting tired after walking around so much.
"Shirabu-san, there's an empty bench over there. Let's sit down." Goshiki then taking Shirabu over to the bench, without hearing his response. It wasn't like he was going to deny anyways.
Shirabu sat down and sighed. They hadn't taken a break to sit down the entire time they were there, so finally being able to rest felt like heaven. Goshiki was sitting on the side of him, and their entwined hands sat between the two of them. There was a silence between them for a while. Not that much of an awkward silence, but still a silence.
"I think I'm going to go home soon." Shirabu stated, now looking at Goshiki, who seemed a bit startled at the words.
"Wait, but-"
Shirabu raised an eyebrow. "But what? We've seen most of the exhibits, Goshiki."
"Yeah, but there's one more we have to go to. I've been looking forward to it the most!" Goshiki told him, then sitting up. "We have to see it. Then we can go." Goshiki had this determined look on his face, and while Shirabu's feet were a bit sore, he didn't exactly want to say 'No' to him.
"Fine. Let me rest for another minute though." Shirabu sighed, Goshiki then laying back as well.
Shirabu did something that Shirabu didn't expect himself to do. He found himself resting his head on Goshiki's shoulder. Goshiki was surprised, Shirabu was surprised, the people passing by them were probably wondering what that dumbfounded look on his face was.
Goshiki isn't a creep. Not one bit. But he did end up saying something that can sound a bit creepy, out of nervousness.
"Your hair smells nice, Shirabu-san."
It would be an understatement to say that Shirabu was surprised. And the light blush on his face means that he hopefully didn't think Goshiki was a weirdo.
"Let's just go to that last exhibit, Goshiki." Shirabu shook his head a bit, before standing up, Goshiki following after.
"Sorry, Shirabu-san, that was a weird thing to say-"
"Forget it. Just go to whatever animal it is that you want to see." Shirabu said, in a harsh tone. Shirabu didn't mean to say it like he was aggravated. He was just slightly embarrassed. Not of Goshiki, obviously, just because of the comment.
Goshiki didn't let it get to him. Shirabu always sounds irritated. Goshiki doesn't mind that. That's one of the reasons that Shirabu came to love Goshiki. Goshiki can handle his attitude, and the way he constantly sounds pissed off. So at times like this, when Shirabu sounds agitated, Goshiki knows not to mind it. And Shirabu is glad.
After a few minutes of walking, they finally stop.
Elephants.
They had passed by the elephants a few times, Shirabu wanting to stop and look at them for a minute, Goshiki not letting them. And now he knows why. Goshiki wanted to save the elephants for the end. Goshiki had kept in mind that Shirabu's favorite animal is the elephant.
Shirabu glanced at Goshiki, an excited smile on Goshiki's face. "I wanted to save the best for last!"
So Shirabu smiled back.
A smile that Goshiki doesn't see very often.
"You look like an angel when you smile." Goshiki had thought out loud, only realizing the 'Out loud' part when Shirabu's face lights up, and Shirabu goes to look away.
".. thanks." Was the mumble that came out of Shirabu's mouth. "Your smile's really nice too.."
And now it was Goshiki's face that was lighting up. Shirabu didn't compliment him often. Not an actual compliment, at least. And all Goshiki could find himself doing is pulling Shirabu into a hug. The elephants must be wondering what these two gay dorks are doing right in front of their enclosure.
They stayed with the elephants for a bit, before deciding it was finally time to head out.
"Thanks for today. It was fun." Shirabu said as they were walking back to the entrance of the zoo.
"Thanks for telling me to take you on a date!" Goshiki was happy as ever. "Wait here for a second." Goshiki told him, releasing his hand and walking off into the gift shop.
Shirabu raised an eyebrow, but shrugged it off. He was probably going to get some weird trinket, or a shirt or something. Shirabu wasn't too worried. Not about that, at least.
What happens after this? Will they go out again? Would Goshiki even want to go out again? Shirabu thought the date went well, but what if Goshiki thought otherwise? Shirabu knew Goshiki was a pretty blunt person though. If he didn't like it, he'd say so. So Shirabu doesn't know why he's so worried about it. Maybe it's the thought that after this, Goshiki doesn't like him. Goshiki's blunt, yeah, but he doesn't really like hurting people. Maybe Goshiki does still like him. But what about after this date, or after so many dates. Does Goshiki even want to actually go to the next level? I mean, logically, he had gone on a date with Shirabu, yeah, but there are so many possibilities, aren't there?
Shirabu was finally snapped out of his thoughts as Goshiki stepped out of the shop, rushing up to him, elephant plush in hand. Shirabu didn't just want to assume that Goshiki got it for him, but what if he did?
And he did.
"Shirabu-san! For you!" Goshiki held out the plush, a soft blush on his face.
It was really cute. Both Goshiki's face, and the elephant plush.
Shirabu's heart can't help but skip a beat as he's handed the item. Sure, Shirabu has had boyfriends and dates before, but none of them were ever as sweet to him as Goshiki was. Goshiki was always sweet, and to everyone. He could get along with anyone. Make anyone like him. But Goshiki likes him. Goshiki likes Shirabu. And Shirabu likes him too. Way more than anyone else.
Shirabu looks from the plush up to Goshiki. If he was going to make a mistake today, it might as well be this one.
Shirabu gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and a small "Thank you." was given.
And Goshiki froze for a second. Shirabu-san just kissed me-. And the soft blush on Goshiki's face immediately burned brighter.
Shirabu then started to walk again, going to exit the zoo, hiding his face in the elephant plush. This was going to be a day he remembered for a long time. Even if he and Goshiki don't stay together in the future.
Goshiki followed after him, catching up quickly. "Shirabu-san, please give me another kiss."
And Shirabu stood silent for a minute. "On our next date."
And Goshiki had never felt more impatient for something in his life. He was going to come up with another date idea as soon as he got home. One even better than this.